Let’s face it: we spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Here at Melton, we recognize the importance of having a bathroom that you enjoy being in beyond its basic necessity. As with any home remodel, a bathroom renovation requires a considerable investment of both time and money. So, how do you know if it’s the right move for you?
This guide is a result of years of experience helping people like you create their dream bathrooms. We know the process inside and out, including all the potential struggles and bumps in the road. Our goal is to make it easy and fun for everyone considering embarking on the remodeling journey. Some of the information included in this guide is taken from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and all of the photos used throughout are from Melton Design Build projects.
Step 1: Assess Your Needs
You’ve probably thought a lot about what you would like to have in your dream bathroom, but have you thought about what you dislike about your current one? Spend some time with the bathroom evaluation worksheet to help you determine what’s working and, perhaps more importantly, what’s not. This will be key information in the planning and design phases of your project.
Step 2: Establish a Budget
We often hear from clients that they have no idea what a bathroom remodel costs. Pricing for bathroom remodels can have a wide range and depend on a variety of factors, such as the size of the bathroom, types of fixtures and finishes, if there are layout changes, and more. It’s important to have an idea of how much you’d like to invest into your project and whether or not it’s realistic with everything you want to do. Check out our financing worksheet and our loan-to-value worksheet for information on the types of loan products that are available for remodeling projects. For more detailed information, consult with a loan officer to find out which option is best for you.
Melton’s design-build process enables us to design a project to fit within an agreed-upon budget.
Step 3: Engage a Professional
Once you have a sense of what your project will entail and how much you’re comfortable spending, it’s time to choose a remodeling contractor. We recommend interviewing several contractors whenever you decide to make a large investment in your home. You always want to work with someone you can trust to do accurate, high-quality work. Our list of questions to ask prospective remodelers can serve as a reference point for important information you want to make sure you have before making a final decision on who you’re working with. Remember that a contractor will be with you throughout the entire process, so you should make sure they are someone you trust and will enjoy working with for an extended period of time.
Step 4: The Design Phase
After you’ve chosen a contractor, it’s time to dive into the design phase of your project. This is when you can really personalize your space, so have fun with it! Choosing the perfect fixtures, finishes, and details for your project may seem like no big deal in comparison to the rest of the work, but we find that these little details are what really make your space feel like yours. In a larger remodel, the design phase can include architecture, structural engineering, and more. It’s important to take the time to thoroughly plan out your project to reduce the chances of construction delays and mistakes.
Your bathroom evaluation worksheet will come in handy in this phase of the project. Other great resources to use while planning are home design magazines, Houzz.com, Pinterest, and more. Curate a collection of reference photos of bathrooms you love the look of. An idea of what tiles, cabinetry, flooring, and the overall vibe of a space that appeals to you is important to know as you go through the design phase. The more detailed picture you can paint of what you like, the easier it will be for the design team to deliver a design you’ll love.
Step 5: The Construction Phase
Once you have your design complete and you know the exact cost of your project, construction can begin. With large bathroom projects where another bathroom is not available, some homeowners choose to move into a different living space until construction is complete. Melton always provides a copy of your project schedule to help you plan for any inconveniences before construction kicks off.
No matter who you choose to work with on your remodeling project, Melton wishes you the best of luck in creating the home of your dreams.
